SHAH ALAM: The Human Resources Ministry and Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) have been urged to break free from the old work training system to ensure a competitive workforce within the country.
Following this, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said both the ministry and Perkeso were given a one-month deadline to present a report to the Cabinet on a more robust training format.
The format, he added, must emphasise artificial intelligence (AI), in line with the rapid development of technology globally.
"I want the ministry and Perkeso to break free from the current system and explore ways (on the work training system for employees) to ensure the country's workforce remains competitive.
"If we do not start making changes and adapt new methods (on the training system), our way of thinking will become outdated.
"Hence, we need to introduce new instruments and methods, or Malaysia will fall behind other countries in its workforce," he said in his speech during the launch of MyFuture Jobs for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and technical and vocational education (TVET), today.
Present during the launch were Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Anwar added that the new system could also be applied to Perkeso employees aged 30 to 40 to enhance their skills and proficiency in AI and improve their quality of work.
"Provide Perkeso staff with upskilling programmes and set a good example to discover new talents.
"Choose any available experts to provide training to Perkeso management so they can master subjects like AI."
Anwar, at the same time, announced an incentive of RM9,000 for employers for each employee hired under the category of retirees aged 60 and above, former prisoners and PwDs under the Dana Kerjaya 2.0 programme.
He said the incentives were in line with the government's effort to provide various initiatives for the groups to ensure that their rights are protected through the nation's economic recovery plan, including the establishment of a working committee focusing on work-related issues for the groups.
He, however, advised employers to not depend on the government's incentives and put more effort into ensuring fairness towards the vulnerable groups.
Anwar, at the same time, urged employers to adopt a more inclusive policy in hiring employees, where priorities should be given to local employees rather than relying on foreign labour.
In stressing this, he added that there were many job opportunities in the country available in all sectors, including in TVET. Anwar also said vulnerable groups such as PwDs and former prisoners should not be discriminated against.
"To reduce this dependency (towards foreign labour), I encourage employers to hire from PwD groups and former prisoners.
"This is so we can give them (former prisoners) a second chance to return to society and into the workforce."
